FORT LORAMIE — The second day of Country Concert 2015 started early.
The Saloon Stage area started filling up at about 9 a.m. Friday in preparation of the USA Karaoke Finals.
The grand prize winner this year, Lacey Prewitt, won $250 and got to perform on the main stage before Jake Owen.
She competed against 60 other finalists for the chance to win. Prewitt, of Hamilton, Ohio, has performed before, but never at something quite this large. She saw the chance to win money on a flyer in her town and decided to try.
Prewitt sang “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” by Reba McEntire. Other competitors chose songs from popular musical artists that included Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. All competitors on Friday had to pass the preliminary round at a local venue to qualify for the event.
Prewitt said she was really surprised and happy she got the grand prize.
Other winners included:
• Tony Butcher, who won preliminaries at Demented Bar & Grill in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, came in fifth and got $25.
• Jimmy Hensley, who won preliminaries at Neon Moon Saloon in Columbus, Ohio, came in fourth and got $50.
• Sarah Doenges, who won preliminaries at Community Lanes in Minster, Ohio, came in third and got $75.
• Heather Wyatt, who won preliminaries at The Sugar Street Bar & Grill in Lima, Ohio, came in second and got $100.
• Eric Sowers, who won preliminaries at Keyhole Pizza in Fort Loramie, came in first and got $200.
The happiness continued throughout the day as concertgoers braved the rain to see their favorite musicians.
Mara Wocher and Heather Thompson, of Middletown, Ohio, were very enthusiastic about seeing Chase Rice, who performed on the main stage Friday evening. They also said they were enjoying the beer.
It was Ruth Burdick’s second time at Country Concert weekend, visiting all the way from Ontario, Canada. She was looking forward to all the performances and said they are all awesome.
Delbert Densmore, of Defiance, Ohio, was celebrating his seventh year. He looked forward to seeing Carrie Underwood the most.
Sue Laugherty, of Tiffin, Ohio, and Rosann YanLiew, of Sycamore, Ohio, said they’ve been coming for about 32 years now. They love watching the crazy people and are staying in a motel for the whole weekend. They said they were looking forward to Carrie Underwood.
Khristina Widrig, Autumn Hunt and Codi DeGood, of Marion, Ohio were looking forward to Carrie Underwood as well. It’s their first time at Country Concert and really enjoying it so far. They said Florida Georgia Line was really good Thursday night and enjoyed Frankie Ballard too.
Debby Watkins and Chris Potts, of Lima, said they’re camping all weekend and were there early Wednesday setting up in the rain. It was Watkins second time, but Potts has been to Country Concert a few times. They really enjoyed Luke Bryan last year and said Chris Young was good this year. Watkins was celebrating a sort of pre-honeymoon before she is married in the fall and Potts was celebrating her wedding anniversary.
As of about 4 p.m. Friday, the first aid tent had not dealt with anything and concert security had not dealt with any major issues. Event staff reported a few incidents of oversized coolers and missing or damaged wristbands, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The Karaoke Finals happened in the Saloon Stage Friday, followed by performances from The Railers and Waterloo Revival. While on the main stage The Cadillac Three, Chase Rice, The Band Perry, and Jake Owen all performed.
Performing Saturday:
• Main Stage
Noon: Jon Pardi
2 p.m. Neal McCoy
4 p.m. Cole Swindell
6 p.m. Eli Young Band
8 p.m. Justin Moore
10 p.m. Carrie Underwood
• Saloon Stage
11 a.m. Haley & Michaels
1 p.m. Haley & Michaels
3 p.m. Clark Manson
5 p.m. Blackhawk
7 p.m. Outlaws
9 p.m. Clark Manson
It’s not too late to attend; tickets and camping spots are available at the gate. Country Concert is located at Hickory Hill Lakes in Fort Loramie on Ohio 66.
Reach this writer at 937-538-4825; follow on Twitter @SDNAlexandraN
